Vacuum release collar



Oct. 26, 1937. A. H. FLETCHER VACUUM RELEASE COLLAR Filed Oct. 1, 1936 g 0 /7 w fl/ 0 w Z7 7 ,7 i wily/. a J W M% 5 A 1 M H A 1 w L m Patented Oct. 26, 1937 UNITE STA 'i1 'l VACUUM RELEASE COLLAR Allen H. Fletcher, Bakersfield, Calif, assigncr to Fletcher Oil Well Desander Corporation,

Bakersfield, Calif a corporation of California Appiication October 1, 1936, SerialNo. 103,611

5 Claims.

This invention relates to a vacuum release collar to be mounted upon the upper end portion of a plunger of a vacuum sand bailer or the like, and it is primarily an object of the invention to provide means for the release automatically of excessive vacuum which would make the bailer unduly adhere to any hard or solid formation which would otherwise result in sticking.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device which operates automatically to obviate any sticking or suction adhesion of the bailer when the pull exerted on the sand line reaches a safe and predetermined maximum thus preventing breaking of the sand line and avoiding the necessity of a fishing job with the possible loss of the bailer.

The invention has for another object to provide a release collar embodying means whereby the bailer can be released with a good margin of safety for varying sizes of lines and also for Varying conditions of same.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved vacuum release collar whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered. simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention w ll hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, Wherein:

Figure 1 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating a vacuum release collar constructed in accord- V ance with an embodiment of my invention in applied position upon a bailer plunger;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the collar and the parts directly associated therewith. 7

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, P denotes a tubular plunger or piston of a general type employed in connection with de-sanding or bailing devices for oil wells of a vacuum type.

This plunger or piston works within a barrel B which, of course, is of desired length. As the general construction and operation of the plunger or piston P and barrel B are well known a detailed description and illustration thereof is believed to be unnecessary. It may be added that these parts are substantially the same as what is (01; rec-19) disclosed in Patent #I,Q58,915 although they may be otherwise constructed. r I

My improved vacuum release collar comprises an elongated tubularmember l which in practice is preferably about two .feet in length; Threading intothe lower end portion of this tubular member I is a hollow nut '2. the lower marginal portion of which-being provided with the opposed notches 3 whereby a suitable wrench may be engaged with the nut 2 for applying or removing the same or for adjusting the nut into or out of the member I as may be desired.

The inner or inserted end of the nut? provides an annular seat 3' for a coil spring 4. This spring t is preferably made of fiat steel material and about five inches in length. This spring 4 surrounds a hollow mandrel or stem 5 of a diameter less than the internal diameter of the tubular member l and the upper portion of this mandrel 5 is formed with a head 6. The head 6 at its inner end is outwardly enlarged with respect to the mandrel or stem 5 whereby is provided an annular shoulder l with which the spring 4 also engages. The head 6 immediately adjacent to the shoulder 1, as at 8, is straight to provide an annular guiding surface for the mandrel or stem 5 for coaction with theinner face of the member to assure the maintenance of the mandrel or stem 5 in desired position. Above or outwardly of the straight surface 8, the head 6 is in the form of a truncated cone as illustrated at 9 with the central or apex portion open. This opening 5 ii is of a diameter less than the diameter of the major portion of the bore ll of the'mandrel or stem 5 with the portion of the bore of the mandrelor-stem 5 within the head 6 tapering, as at l2, toward this opening l0.

The wall defining the opening H] is formed to provide a seat M with which has close contact a ball valve l5. I

The upper portion of the applied member I in the present embodiment'of the invention has its bore slightly reduced to provide an internal annular shoulder 25 which is contacted by the marginal portion of a disc l1. This disc l! is preferably pressed intothe member I and against the shoulder l6. This applied disc I! serves as a seat for the mandrel or stem 5 and is provided in its central portion with an opening I8 into which the apex portion of the head 6 extends and the peripheral wall of the conical portion 9 is normally maintained in engagement with the seat disc I! under the action of the spring 4. Itis to be particularly noted that the opening I8 is of a diameter in excess of the diameter of the ball valve l5 so that the ball valve can raise and lower without hindrance or obstruction with the suction action of the bailer.

The upper portion of the member I has threaded therein or otherwise coupled thereto a rope socket or bail l9.

Should the bailer adhere unduly hard to any formation or thing in the well, the operating rope or wire for the bailer often parts resulting in a fishing job and often resulting in the total loss of the bailer. However, with the "improved vacuum release. collar the pull of the sand line will overcome the tension of the spring 4 and force the ball l5 downward together with the mandrel or stem 5. This movement places the spring 4 under increased tension. The slightest downward movement of the mandrel or stem 5 creates an opening between the portion 9 of the head 6 and the disc I! immediately releasing the vacuum created by the suction action of the bailer. This release of the vacuum results in an immediate letting 7 go of the hold the bailer may have on the formation or anything in the well.

The. tension of the spring 4 may be adjusted upon proper turning of the nut 2 so that the bailer can be set to release with a good margin of safety for varying sizes of lines and also for varying conditions of same.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a vacuum release collar constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a vacuum release collar for attachment to a tubular piston of a vacuum bailer, said collar comprising a tubular member, and a normally closed valve therein, said valve moving to open position to release the vacuum created by the piston upon undue resistance being offered to the suction stroke of the piston, said valve being tubular, and a valve member coacting with the upper end of the tubular valve normally closing the tubular valve against flow therethrough.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a vacuum releasecollar for attachment to a tubular piston of a vacuum bailer, said collar comprising a tubular member, a normally closed valve therein, said valve moving to open position to release the vacand means for normally closing the bore of the valve.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a vacuum release collar for attachment to a tubular piston of a vacuum bailer, said collar comprising a tubular member, a normally closed valve therein, said valve moving to open position to release the vacuum created by the piston upon undue resistance being offered to the suction stroke of the piston, means for maintaining the valve in its normally closed position, said valve being tubular and open at both ends, a disk fittedwithin and intersecting the bore of the tubular member, said disk having a central opening for register with the bore of the valve, said disk providing a valve seat for the valve, a ball valve extending through the opening,

of the disk andnormally seating upon the adjacent end of the first valve to close the bore of said first valve.

I ing the bore of the tubular member, said disk having a central opening for register with the bore of the valve, said disk providing a valve seat for the valve, a ball valve extending through the opening of the disk and normally seating upon the adjacent end of the first valve to close the bore of said first valve, the opening in the disk being of a diameter to allow the ball valve to pass therethrough upon separating movement between the first valve and the disk.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a vacuum release collar for attachment to a tubular piston of a vacuum bailer, said collar having an internal valve seat, a tubular valve, yieldable means for normally holding the valve to the internal seat, said valve moving to open position to release the vacuum created by the piston upon undue resistance being ofiered to the suction stroke of the piston, and means for normally closing thetubular valve against flow therethrough.

ALLEN H. FLETCHER. 

